Online Newsletter

Excerpted from our print newsletter. See the printed newsletter for detailed
Field Trip directions and reports, for phone and addresses for yard visits and
additional articles. Join now to obtain
the benefits of full membership!

UPCOMING MEETING IN DADE COUNTY

Dr. Roessler will explain the classification and the function of wetlands,
and show examples of the plants used in defining wetland as well as examples
of some of the most interesting and beautiful flora of swamps and marshes.

Marty received a Doctorate in Marine Sciences from the University of
Miami's Rosenstiel School. After teaching Population Dynamics and Biometry
and conducting research on the pink shrimp fishery and ecology of Biscayne
Bay, he and several associates from RSMAS formed Tropical BioIndustries,
a consulting business in South Florida and the tropics. He has been involved
in defining, evaluating and protecting wetlands for many years. Most of
us know him best as our field trip leader and the one who knows the plants,
as well as the author of the field trip reports in Tillandsia.

Carli Koshal and Lucia Goyen, winners of this year's
George Avery Award at the South Florida Regional Science and Engineering
Fair, will give a short presentation of their project

We will also have our Annual Meeting with election of the chapter
board and vote on a proposed amendment to the bylaws to move the annual
meeting to May.

Thanks in advance to refreshment donors: Barbara McAdam, Donna
Rich, Patty Harris, George Childs (snacks), Manny Pomares (drinks and ice).
New volunteers to bring refreshments, additions to the refreshments and
raffle table are also appreciated.

UPCOMING FIELD TRIPS (DADE)

Field trips are for the study of plants and enjoyment of nature by
FNPS members (Dade and Keys) and their invited guests. Collecting is not
permitted. Please join today so
that you can enjoy all the benefits of membership! Call Patty for more
information or carpooling (from Dade). If the weather is very bad, call
to confirm before leaving home.

Saturday, March 29: Seminole Wayside Park pineland. This 28 acre
pineland managed by Miami-Dade Parks is somewhat different from other pinelands
in Dade County, and the walk should be easy.

ACTIVITIES IN THE KEYS

All chapter members are invited to all chapter
activities. To receive personal notification of Keys Group activities
or for more information, please contact Lisa Gordon (ledzep@keysconnection.com)
or Jim Duquesnel (305-451-1202 or jandj.Duquesnel@mindspring.com).
Leave your name, phone/fax number, or email address.

Next meeting: March 25, 7 pm. Dr. Deborah Shaw, Director of Environmental
Affairs for the Florida Keys Electric Cooperative, will present a program
on native Keys tree snails at the Marathon Garden Club.

NATIVE PLANT DAY at The Deering Estate

CALLING ALL VOLUNTEERS FOR NATIVE PLANT DAY  SUNDAY, MARCH 9

You can see from the enclosed
flier and schedule
that another great Native Plant Day has been planned by DCFNPS. As
you know, this is our chapter's annual public event and most important
public outreach. Please encourage your neighbors and coworkers to come (and
bring the kids), and post a copy of the flier anywhere you can.

You will certainly want to enjoy some programs and walks, but we also
need you to contribute some time as a volunteer. Many of the jobs do
not require knowledge of native plants or any special skill.

Please sign up at the February meeting or call Patty Phares (305-255-6404)
or Carrie Cleland (305-661-9023) ASAP to tell us how you will help.

CHAPTER NEWS AND NEEDS

Chapter workday at Bear Cut Preserve, Biscayne
Nature Center, April 5, 9 a.m. - noon. We will join other volunteers
to plant natives and remove exotics on our 4th annual workday.
Directions: Enter the North Entrance of Crandon Park, Key Biscayne; tell
the attendant that you are going to the workday, head to the north end of
the parking lot. Friends and family welcome. Please try to call Carrie if
you plan to come (305-661-9023).

Everglades National Park Chapter
workday: April 12, 9 a.m. - noon. We will remove some plants to prepare
for a big planting day (May 31)  plus the usual weeding and mulching.
New volunteers are encouraged  there is a job for every level of strength.
Bring tools if you can (for digging, cutting). Some hand tools available.
Refreshments provided. Please try to call Carrie (305-361-9023) or Patty
(305-255-6404) so we know how many to expect.

FNPS 23rd Annual State conference, Ft. Myers, May 8 - 11.
You should have already received your conference brochure and registration
form. Applications for the Landscape Awards are due March 10. Please
see your latest Palmetto or Sabal Minor or www.fnps.org
for more information.

Casey's Corner Nursery and Landscaping in the Redland is a new addition
to our list of native nurseries. Susan Casey says that they are open on
Saturdays and sell retail. Call 305-248-7284.

Greensweep Volunteer Workdays in the Keys. First Saturdays, 9 -
noon. Call The Nature Conservancy at 305-745-8402. April 5: Tropical
Crane Point Hammock, Marathon. Help remove exotics and then enjoy the grounds
and museum.

In Marathon: The Nature Conservancy's 4th Annual Native Plant
Fair. Saturday, March 22, 9 a.m. - noon, at Stanley Switlik Elementary
School, MM 48.4. This event promotes preservation of native biological diversity
in the Keys and provides a fun way to acquaint residents with the beauty
and ecological importance of native plants and threats posed by invasive
exotic plants species. There will be free plants for all, free presentations
and displays, answers for your gardening and plant questions, prizes and
raffles. For more information call TNC at 305-745-8402.

DCFNPS member Diane Otis will
teach Easy Gardening with Florida Natives (April 26, 10am
- 1:00pm). Cut down on watering and fertilizers while increasing the beauty
of your yard. Learn to create mini_ecosystems that will attract butterflies
and other wildlife. By creating natural habitats in your backyard you
are fostering a beneficial relationship between you and the environment.
Native plants will be available (for purchase) as well as advice on plants
best suited to your yard. $25. Advanced registration is required.

Landscape Technology Program at Miami Dade Community College Kendall
Campus. Courses for a new credit certificate focusing on native plants.,
Ecological Restoration Technician, begin in May. Courses range from
South Florida field biology to exotic plant management in native areas,
many with visiting lecturers and field guides prominent in this field. Classes
are evenings and Saturdays, and the certificate can be completed in one
year. Contact Ron Mossman, Director of the Landscape Program, 305-237-2583
or rmossman@mdcc.edu.
Native Plant Identification and Usage begins May 13; Special Topics
in Landscaping: Exotic Plant I.D. and Management begins May 17.

Input for the Everglades National Park General Management Plan is being
accepted. Is there something that you would like to see happen -- or
not happen? If so, speak up! Send a message to the park. Check out www.nps.gov/ever/gmp.
Send comments to ENP, 40001 State Road 9336, Homestead, FL 33034, attn:
Fred Herling or EVER_GMP@nps.gov.

GEORGE N. AVERY AWARD FOR OUTSTANDING SCIENCE FAIR
PROJECT

Congratulations to Carli Koshal and Lucia Goyen, recipients
of this year's George N. Avery Award, presented by the Dade Chapter for
outstanding science fair projects at the South Florida Regional Science
and Engineering Fair. Their project was titled "Discriminant Analysis of
Mitigated vs. Unmitigated Red Mangroves: The Effect of Turbidity on Growth
Rates." Carli and Lucia are12th grade students at Dr. Michael
M. Krop High School, and their science teacher is Ms. Green. Judges Allyn
Golub, Lynka Woodbury and Rita Woodbury selected this project at the science
fair on February 11 at Cutler Ridge Mall. The students will present their
project to us and receive their awards (certificate and book store gift
certificate) at the March meeting.

As you can see from the following project summary, the students demonstrate
not only an interest in science and its application in environmental research,
but a high degree of scientific expertise.

"Unmitigated areas of Red Mangrove forests present a thriving community.
At present these areas have been described as 'healthier' than the mitigated
areas. Mangroves planted in mitigated areas grow at a different rate than
those that grow naturally. We felt that since unmitigated areas are presumed
to be healthier, the red mangroves would grow much faster in this natural
environment than in the mitigated areas. Through our research, we found
out that wasn't the case. In order to determine what factors contribute
to this difference, we tested pH, turbidity and temperature of both mitigated
and unmitigated areas of red mangrove populations at Oleta River State Park.
Ten red mangroves were selected, each similar in size, from both areas and
marked off with string. However, in the mitigated area, mangroves were selected
at stratified distances from shore, to determine if distance was a variable.
In our analysis, we used a TI graphing calculator in conjunction with a
CBL and various probes (pH, turbidity, temperature). To measure the heights
of the plants we used a basic tape measure. Readings of pH, turbidity and
temperature of the red mangroves in both these areas were taken over the
course of a year and the values were plotted. Monthly measurements were
taken at comparable times of the day (late afternoon). The measurements
show that there was no significant difference between pH and temperature
of the areas. However, there was a significant difference between turbidity,
as there was higher turbidity in the mitigated areas than the unmitigated
areas. This is what we feel contributed to the difference in the high rate
of growth in the mitigated area as opposed to the unmitigated area."

WILD DILLY by Roger Hammer

Manilkara jaimiqui subsp. emarginata

by Roger Hammer

One of my favorite native trees of southern Florida is Wild Dilly.
Wild trees always exude grand character , with their gnarled trunk, compact
canopy, and dull-green oblong leaves. There are usually fruit present and
these resemble round, scurfy, brown ornaments tucked among the leaves. When
a tree is in flower, the clusters of greenish brown blossoms exude an odd,
sweet odor that attracts honeybees.

It is rather unfortunate that Wild Dilly isn't cultivated. Nurserymen
claim that it grows too slowly but slow growth can be an attribute in some
cases and, as the old saying goes, "good things are worth waiting for."
Wild Dilly is a native relative of the more widely known Sapodilla (Manilkara
zapota). Like the Sapodilla, the fruit of Wild Dilly are edible when
fully ripe and somewhat resemble the flavor of a pear mixed with brown sugar.
The white latex extracted from the bark of trees in this genus is harvested
for the production of chicle, a principal ingredient in chewing gum. Pick
an unripe fruit of either Sapodilla or Wild Dilly, let the milky latex form
a small puddle in the palm of your hand, stir it with a finger and, voila,
you have chicle. Now try to figure out how to get the gooey stuff off your
palm!

The genus name, Manilkara, is taken from manyl-kara,
a vernacular name from the Malabar region of southern India for another
member of the genus. The species name is from jai-mi-ki, the Taino
Indian word for the tree, meaning "Water Crab Spirit," and the subspecies
name, emarginata, refers to the notched leaf tip (emarginate).

Getting back to the Taino Indians, it is interesting that many books
refer to them as an extinct, aboriginal people from the Greater Antilles.
While working on the manuscript for an upcoming book, Florida Keys Wildflowers,
I was having difficulty with the name derivation for jaimiqui, and
a friend, Dick Wunderlin, suggested that it might possibly be of Indian
origin. While surfing the net, I ran across a website for the Taino Indian
Tribal Affairs, which started with the headline, "We Are Not Extinct!" I
emailed Principal Chief Cacique Pedro Guanikeyu Torres of the Jatibonicu
Taino People in Puerto Rico and it was he who enlightened me about the origin
of the word jaimiqui.And he even began his reply in the Taino
language by wishing me, Tau Ah Taiguey Guaitiao, "Hello and Good Day Friend."

NATIVE PLANTS GREET FAIRCHILD GARDEN VISITORS

As you turn in from Old Cutler Road to enter Fairchild Tropical Garden
through our new Jean duPont Shehan Visitor Center, you pass a buffer zone
with Matheson Hammock Park. In that zone, we are recreating a hardwood hammock
as a transition from Matheson into the Garden, and as a way of presenting
the native landscape of South Florida.

The plot we are using lies on the ridge that extends from Miami south
to the Deering Estate and eventually to Homestead. The ground was solid
rock so deep we had to rent a jackhammer to dig planting holes. We had the
chance to start with young plants, so we chose plants of different heights
in 1- to 25-gallon containers and also a couple of field-grown trees.

We created a path lined with logs and installed laminated signs so
visitors can easily identify and learn the plants. You may recognize the
live oak, the gumbo limbo (Bursera simaruba), with its red, peeling
bark, and the satin leaf (Chrysophyllum oliviforme) with leaves that
are dark green on top and satiny brown underneath. A short-leaf fig (Ficus
citrifolia) and three wild tamarinds (Lysiloma latisilaquum)
are fast-growing trees that will help shade the area in the near future.
Other trees that will grow tall are the paradise tree (Simarouba glauca),
the Jamaican dogwood (Piscidia piscipula), two pigeon plums (Coccoloba
diversifolia), and the mastic (Sideroxylum foetidissum). You
can see a mature specimen of this tree in plot 50 in the Fairchild Garden
Arboretum.

As for the understory, the stoppers predominate. Simpsons, Spanish,
Red, and White stoppers are mixed in a small group for the wild birds to
hide in and feed on. The spicewood (Calyptranthes pallens) can be
found nearby with its unfolding pink or pale red young leaves. Wild coffees
(Psychotria) are represented with our three native species. You would
not mistake the highly glossy leaves with their deeply impressed side veins
of the common Psychotria nervosa forthe P. ligustrifolia
and its glossy dark leaves. P. sulzneri has intensely dark leaves
with a distinctive bluish green tinge.

On the female bitterbush (Picramnia pentandra) when it is in
season, you can see large clusters of sizable one-seeded berries maturing
from reddish to wine red or black. Five Krug's holly (Ilex krugiana)
were placed on the east side of the hammock because they are more resistant
to cold. A wild lime (Zanthoxylum fagara) stands a short distance
from the path, and among its leaves you can observe the larvae of the giant
swallowtail.

The marlberry (Ardisia escallonioides) bloomed in early December
and was surrounded by its insect pollinators. We also added a couple of
crabwood (Gymnanthes lucida), black ironwood (Krugiodendron ferreum),West
Indian cherry (Prunus myrtifolia) and the Jamaica Caper (Capparis
cynophallophora) for diversity.

Come and see during the years the habit of growth of our native plants
at young age, and the wildlife slowly discovering this small but diversify
food supply.

The Dade Chapter Florida Native Plant Society is a 501(c)3 nonprofit organization
dedicated to the understanding and preservation of Florida's native flora
and natural areas, and promoting native plants in landscapes.

The chapter includes residents of Miami-Dade County and the Keys. Meetings
in Miami-Dade County are on the 4th Tuesday of each month
except June, August and December at Fairchild Tropical Garden and are free
and open to the public. In June, members and their guests are invited to
an evening garden tour on the 4th Tuesday. Meetings in the
Keys are held on a varying schedule of dates and locations from Key
Largo to Key West. The basic FNPS membership (state and chapter) is $25
per year. Please contact DCFNPS for a membership application.

Please send articles, announcements of local activities and news
of interest to the Dade Chapter PO Box or email to the editor (above) by
the 15th of each month to be considered for publication the following
month. Advertising rates from $10/month.